Development of a tetrameric streptavidin mutein with reversible biotin binding capability: engineering a mobile loop as an exit door for biotin.

A novel form of tetrameric streptavidin has been engineered to have reversible biotin binding capability. In wild-type streptavidin, loop(3-4) functions as a lid for the entry and exit of biotin. When biotin is bound, interactions between biotin and key residues in loop(3-4) keep this lid in the closed state.

Effect of GPi DBS on functional imaging of the brain in dystonia.

Five patients with idiopathic dystonic conditions, treated successfully with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi), were studied using single-photon emission tomography (SPET) in order to evaluate brain perfusion in the presence and absence of DBS. Comparison was made between the "on" and "off" DBS scans on an individual basis and also as part of a group analysis. Whilst the individual data suggested great regional variation in cerebral perfusion between individuals, the results of the group analysis revealed several topographically similar areas of the brain where relative hyperperfusion in the absence of DBS was common to all patients.

Phantom limb pain relieved with different modalities of central nervous system stimulation: a clinical and functional imaging case report of two patients.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a type of neuropathic pain syndrome that has evoked much interest in scientific and clinical fields. The condition is often intractable and severely debilitating. Though there are anecdotal reports in the literature of successful management of individual cases with brain and spinal cord stimulation, it has not been possible to develop a system of management that is consistently successful, mainly due to the paucity of basic neurophysiological data about PLP and its pathways in the central nervous system (CNS).

Solid-phase biotinylation of antibodies.

Biotinylation is an established method of labeling antibody molecules for several applications in life science research. Antibody functional groups such as amines, cis hydroxyls in carbohydrates or sulfhydryls may be modified with a variety of biotinylation reagents. Solution-based biotinylation is accomplished by incubating antibody in an appropriate buffered solution with biotinylation reagent.